Here’s the HURON Lightship Site Manager, Jerry Rome.

You are now in the crew’s quarters and this is where the workers, the crew slept. Now originally with this ship being built in 1920, looking at the beds that the crew had might not look overly comfortable to you. But in 1920-1948 you would have found swinging hammocks in here. And in a storm as the ship would go back and forth, their hammocks would go back and forth as well. So the crew had a habit in a storm of taking a line and tying it from one side of their hammock to anything stationary on one side, and then on the other side. So 1948 when they got these uncomfortable looking beds, they were deluxe to the sailors.

Now in this area right here, the crew’s quarters, you’ll find a memorial to one of the sailors, Robert Gullickson. And on May 7, 1958, Robert, which slept at the one bed, and Vince, one of the cooks, were sent ashore by the Captain to pick up mail, pay, and groceries for the ship. So as the ship was anchored out there, needing supplies, they put a small boat over the side and it would go to Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, picking up mail, pay, and groceries, transfer sailors for their week off. So on that particular day, the two sailors went ashore, picked up their provisions, and were returning back to this anchored ship which was six miles out and three miles offshore.

However on the way back to the ship that day their small boat encountered a storm. Water started coming into the boat, the two sailors bailed it out. Eventually more water came in than they could bail out, and the small boat sank, putting the two sailors in the water- Robert and Vince. Floating around out in the water the two sailors had their life jackets on, held onto hands to keep from becoming separated, but eventually, however, a wave separated the two sailors. At that point, Robert made the decision to attempt to swim ashore to get help for him and Vince. Unfortunately for Robert however, he ended up drowning on the way into shore. Now after a lengthy search, eventually they found Robert’s life jacket floating in the water, but even to this day, Robert’s body has not been recovered. Vince, still floating around out in the cold water, still had his life jacket on, waiting and hoping for help. Not returning back to the ship, the Captain became concerned, “Where’s my crew?” He ordered a second small boat over the side to search for the sailors. Eventually they found Vince, floating in the cold water suffering from hypothermia. Took him up to Port Huron Hospital, Vince was treated and released.

Now on the bulkhead by Robert’s bed you see a newspaper article. In the year 2000, Roberts’ sister paid a visit to the ship that her brother had once served on. When she came aboard she brought Robert’s burial flag, which is on his pillow, and Robert’s dress uniform, which is in his locker, which had been in their parents’ attic for over 35 years.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this brief audio recording. There is so much more for you to enjoy with a guided tour. For more information, click “PortHuronMuseums.com”

Recorded and produced by Van Rohr